Alstroemeria plant named &#39;KONCASUNDA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Alstroemeria  plant named ‘Koncasunda’, characterized by its compact and mounding plant habit; sturdy and strong plants; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; numerous light yellow-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Alstroemeria hybrida

CULTIVAR DENOMINATION

‘KONCASUNDA’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAlstroemeria plant, botanically known as Alstroemeria hybrida, typicallygrown as a container-type garden Alstroemeria and hereinafter referredto by the name ‘Koncasunda’.

The new Alstroemeria plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands. The objectiveof the breeding program is to create new compact container-type gardenAlstroemeria plants that have an early and freely flowering habit withattractive leaf and flower coloration.

The new Alstroemeria plant originated from a cross-pollination made bythe Inventor in Nieuwveen, The Netherlands in June, 2010 of aproprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as codedesignation 07-0-RD, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Alstroemeria hybrida identified as codedesignation 21604-1, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Alstroemeria plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Nieuwveen,The Netherlands in June, 2012.

Asexual reproduction of the new Alstroemeria plant by in vitrorhizogenesis in a controlled greenhouse environment in Nieuwveen, The

Netherlands since June, 2012 has shown that the unique features of thisnew Alstroemeria plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Koncasunda’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Koncasunda’ as a new and distinct Alstroemeriaplant:

-   -   1. Compact and mounding plant habit.    -   2. Sturdy and strong plants.    -   3. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   4. Freely branching habit.    -   5. Numerous light yellow-colored flowers.    -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in flower color as plants of thefemale parent selection have red purple and yellow-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Alstroemeria differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of themale parent selection have light orange-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Alstroemeria can be compared to plants of theAlstroemeria hybrida ‘Konesert’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.20,030. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Nieuwveen, TheNetherlands, plants of the new Alstroemeria differed from plants of‘Konesert’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Alstroemeria were more compact than plants        of ‘Konesert’.    -   2. Plants of the new Alstroemeria were more freely flowering        than plants of ‘Konesert’.    -   3. Plants of the new Alstroemeria had larger flowers than plants        of ‘Konesert’.    -   4. Plants of the new Alstroemeria and ‘Konesert’ differed        slightly in flower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Alstroemeria plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Alstroemeria plant. The photograph on the firstsheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘Koncasunda’ grown in container. The photograph on the second sheet is aclose-up view of typical flowers of ‘Koncasunda’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants of the new Alstroemeria grown during thewinter and spring in 19-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse inNieuwveen, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical ofcommercial container-type Alstroemeria production. During the productionof the plants, day temperatures ranged from 6° C. to 35° C. and nighttemperatures ranged from 6° C. to 20° C. Plants were 20 weeks old whenthe photographs and description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Koncasunda’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Alstroemeria hybrida identified as code designation 07-0-RD,            not patented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Proprietary selection of Alstroemeria            hybrida identified as code designation 21604-1, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—In vitro rhizogenesis.        -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically white in color,            actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate            temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.        -   Rhizome description.—Shape: Elongate; rounded. Length: About            7.5 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Close            to 161A.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial garden plant; compact and            mounded; freely branching habit, bushy appearance; sturdy            and strong plants; vigorous growth habit; rapid growth rate.        -   Plant height.—About 20 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 35 cm.-   Stem description:    -   -   Aspect.—Mostly upright.        -   Internode length.—About 3 mm to 17 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Color.—Close to 144D strongly tinged with close to 187B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; below the peduncle, arranged in a            single whorl; leaves sessile.        -   Length.—About 3.9 cm to 10.1 cm.        -   Width.—About 1 cm to 1.8 cm.        -   Shape        -   .—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.        -   Color.—Developing and fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            Close to 137A; venation, close to 137C. Developing and fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 137B; venation,            close to 146B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single cup-shaped flowers arranged in            compound umbels; flowers face upright to outwardly; freely            flowering habit with up to 15 flowers developing per            inflorescence and about 50 to 90 flowers developing per            plant during the flowering season.        -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering continuous from the late            spring until the autumn in The Netherlands; early-flowering            habit, plants begin flowering about 10 to 18 weeks after            stem initiation.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About one to three weeks,            longevity is temperature-dependent; flowers not persistent.        -   Flower longevity as a cut flower.—About one to two weeks,            longevity is temperature-dependent; flowers not persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 5.5 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm.            Shape: Ovoid. Color: Close to 2D and 39C to 39B; at the            apex, close to 138A.        -   Umbel height.—About 8.7 cm.        -   Umbel diameter.—About 13 cm to 15 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 5.5 cm to 6.5 cm.        -   Flower depth (height).—About 6 cm to 6.5 cm.        -   Perianth.—Arrangement: Six arranged in two whorls, each            whorl with two lateral and one median segments. Size, inner            perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.5 cm. Width,            lateral segments: About 1.8 cm. Length, median segment:            About 6.2 cm. Width, median segment: About 1.8 cm. Size,            outer perianth: Length, lateral segments: About 6.1 cm.            Width, lateral segments: About 2.8 cm. Length, median            segment: About 6.1 cm. Width, median segment: About 2.7 cm.            Shape, inner perianth, lateral and median segments:            Oblanceolate. Shape, outer perianth, lateral and median            segments: Obovate. Apex, inner perianth, lateral and median            segments: Acute. Apex, outer perianth, lateral and median            segments: Emarginate, wishbone-shaped. Base, inner and outer            perianths, lateral and median segments: Attenuate. Margin,            inner and outer perianths, lateral and median segments:            Mostly entire; towards the apex, crenulate. Texture, inner            and outer perianths, lateral and median segments: Smooth,            glabrous. Luster, inner and outer perianths, lateral and            median segments: Matte, dull. Color, inner perianth: When            opening, lateral segments, upper surface: Close to 14D;            mid-section, close to 5A; at the base, close to 144A; spots            and stripes, close to 187A. When opening, lateral segments,            lower surface: Close to 14D; mid-section, close to 2A; at            the base, close to 144A; venation, close to 59A and 144A;            spots and stripes, close to 187A. When opening, median            segment, upper surface: Close to 14D; at the base, close to            144A, spots and stripes, close to 187A. When opening, median            segment, lower surface: Close to 14D; at the base, close to            144A; venation, close to 59A and 144A; spots and stripes,            close to 187A. Fully opened, lateral segments, upper            surface: Close to 14D, and at the apex, close to 63C;            mid-section, close to 5A; towards the base, close to 63D,            and at the base, close to 144A; spots and stripes, close to            187A; color does not fade with development. Fully opened,            lateral segments, lower surface: Close to 14D, and at the            apex, close to 63C; mid-section, close to 2A; towards the            base, close to 63D, and at the base, close to 144A;            venation, close to 59A and 144A; spots and stripes, close to            187A; color does not fade with development. Fully opened,            median segment, upper surface: Close to 14D; towards the            base, close to 63D, and at the base, close to 144A; spots            and stripes, close to 187A; color does not fade with            development. Fully opened, median segment, lower surface:            Close to 14D; at the base, close to 144A; venation, close to            59A and 144A; spots and stripes, close to 187A; color does            not fade with development. Color, outer perianth: When            opening, lateral and median segments, upper surface: Close            to 2D, and at the apex, close to 144A; mid-section, close to            63B; at the base, close to 62D; spots and stripes, close to            61A. When opening, lateral and median segments, lower            surface: Close to 2D, and at the apex, close to 144A;            mid-section, close to 63B; at the base, close to 63D;            venation, close to 144A. Fully opened, lateral and median            segments, upper surface: Close to 2D, and at the apex, close            to 144A; mid-section, close to 63B; at the base, close to            62D; spots and stripes, close to 61A; color does not fade            with subsequent development. Fully opened, lateral and            median segments, lower surface: Close to 2D, and at the            apex, close to 144A; mid-section, close to 63B; at the base,            close to 63D; venation, close to 144A; color does not fade            with subsequent development.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 0.7 cm to 1.3 cm. Diameter: About            1.5 mm to 3 mm. Strength: Strong. Angle: Erect to about 70°            to 85° from vertical. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color,            upper and lower surfaces: Close to 144D heavily tinged with            close to 187B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Six.            Anther shape: Oval. Anther size: About 3 mm by 8 mm. Anther            color: Close to 153B. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:            Close to 153C. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil            length: About 4 cm. Style length: About 3.6 cm. Style color:            Proximally, close to 73D; distally, close to 75C. Stigma            color: Close to 11A. Ovary color: Close to 138A.        -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development has not been            observed on plants of the new Alstroemeria.-   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have not    been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Alstroemeria plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Alstroemeria have been    observed to have good garden performance and to tolerate wind, rain    and temperatures ranging from about 6° C. to about 35° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Alstroemeria plant named‘Koncasunda’ as illustrated and described.